Gasparini confirmed that the majority of the changes in phase two will be to the playground and the bocce and basketball court area.

"Phase two will benefit many different age groups and include new bocce ball courts and a new seating area with a water feature (i.e. fountain) to create a calm and tranquil atmosphere for our residents," he said. "The playground will include new playscapes for different age groups and rubber matting in place of the mulch."

He also said that this phase includes the expansion of the library parking lot. The township plans to move the existing basketball courts to this area so that it's away from the new playground and bocce ball court area, he said. Improvements are also being made to the tennis area during this phase.

"Phase 2 was very well thought out and will greatly benefit the younger children as well as senior residents," said Gasparini. "There is also a play area for children with disabilities."

Phase two improvements have not gone out for bid yet, but the mayor said that engineering and architecture work has already begun through Petry Engineering and Solutions Architecture, respectively.

Gasparini anticipates that phase two will last approximately three months from start to finish. There will be no additional cost to taxpayers for the improvements and the changes will not affect summer camp, he said.

Although the township has not begun planning for phase three, some of those plans will include improving the existing fields and the Van Dessel house. According to the mayor, this will inlude the addition of three turf fields.

Click HERE to learn more about the offerings at the Fairfield Recreation Department.

NEWARK, NJ – The Essex County Freeholder Board has unanimously voted to approve a $1,186,010 bid from APS Contracting, Inc., to make multiple improvements and refurbishments to the Essex County Riker Hill Park in Livingston.

The 204-acre complex, which was purchased in 1969 through the Green Acres Program, is a destination site for residents in the surrounding area and beyond. The planned ...

ROSELAND, NJ — Approximately 20 protestors gathered on Tuesday morning at the Roseland compressor station to participate in a civil disobedience action opposing a plan to expand the Eagle Rock Avenue facility. Renovations are currently underway to allow for double the current capacity of gas to travel through although the facility is being utilized by 5 percent of its current ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The world is 71 percent water, and children are 100 percent curious. The West Essex YMCA's Safety Around Water Week, a free program designed to engage and educate parents about the importance of water safety skills and provide more of America’s youth access to swim lessons, will be offered this year from June 24 through June 28.

Know the facts:

Two children die every day ...

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The world is 71 percent water, and children are 100 percent curious. The West ...

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County grand jury on Tuesday indicted a city cop who exited his vehicle several times to shoot at a fleeing car, leaving one man dead and another seriously injured.

Jovanny Crespo, 26, of Newark was charged with aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and two counts of official misconduct nearly four months ...

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County grand jury on Tuesday indicted a city cop who exited his vehicle ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — The West Caldwell Township Council unanimously voted to approve the 2019 municipal budget and tax resolution during Tuesday’s meeting. The tax rate increase to the average home assessed at $448,000 is $71.34 annually, or $17.84 per quarter.

The amount to be raised by taxation for municipal and library costs is $13,928,017.72. The newly approved tax rate will be $0.615 per ...

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — The West Caldwell Township Council unanimously voted to approve the 2019 ...

CALDWELL, NJ — More than 300 people ranging from serious runners to local dignitaries and teachers competing for the fastest school, to families walking and running together participated in the Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation's (CWCEF) fifth annual 5K at James Caldwell High School (JCHS) on Saturday.

According to Shari Bricker of the CWCEF, the total raised at this year's event ...

CALDWELL, NJ — More than 300 people ranging from serious runners to local dignitaries and teachers ...

ESSEX, FELLS, NJ — As of Monday, the Essex Fells Police Department has begun cracking down on unbuckled motorists and passengers as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

From now through June 2, this program will utilize high-visibility seatbelt checkpoints and saturation patrols in combination with local and statewide publicity efforts to reiterate the lifesaving value of ...

ESSEX, FELLS, NJ — As of Monday, the Essex Fells Police Department has begun cracking down on ...

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — Two West Essex sophomores, Gabriel Ruszala and Grant King, have successfully auditioned for prestigious spots in the New Jersey All-State Jazz Band and the 2019 All State Mixed Chorus, respectively.

Ruszala has earned his seat as the first chair trombone player in the New Jersey All-State Jazz Band. Each year, only three tenor trombones are selected from the many high ...

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — Two West Essex sophomores, Gabriel Ruszala and Grant King, have successfully ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The public is invited to attend the 17th Annual Essex County Open House at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The carnival-like event combines games and activities to entertain and provide information to raise public awareness about the programs and services provided by Essex County.

“Our Annual Open House has become a county tradition that our ...

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The public is invited to attend the 17th Annual Essex County Open House at Essex ...